FOLDABLE AUTO INFLATE LIFEBUOY
An auto inflate lifebuoy includes a lifebuoy and an air inflation structure joined to the lifebuoy. In the air inflation structure is disposed a base body, thereto is connected a high pressure gas cylinder. A flexible air nozzle is disposed at the outlet of the high pressure gas cylinder. Inside the base body is disposed a top shaft, which pierces through a spring and then has its one end sticking out of the base body and connecting to a press button. The uninflated lifebuoy can be folded and stored away in proper places on board a transportation vehicle such as an aircraft or a ship. It does not take up too much space in normal times and can be quickly accessed in case of emergency. With a press on the press button, the top shaft is pushed to press the flexible air nozzle into the high pressure gas cylinder. The air inside the high pressure gas cylinder is instantly released by the flexible air nozzle and inflates the lifebuoy for use on a person to facilitate emergency escape.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a foldable auto inflate lifebuoy, particularly to an auto inflate lifebuoy which does not take up too much space when not in use and which is quickly accessible and speedily inflates for use on a person to facilitate emergency escape in case of emergency.
2. Description of Related Art
Transportation vehicles such as aircrafts or ships are usually equipped with lifebuoys to facilitate emergency escape. Lifebuoys are indeed important means of escape, particularly on passenger liners, ferries, etc. However, existing lifebuoys are usually fully inflated before being stored in proper places. These fully inflated lifebuoys are bigger, and are therefore stored away from activity space. In case of emergency, a person needs to move first to where lifebuoys are stored, reach for one, and put it around the body. This may not only delay escape, but may also cause unnecessary casualties as a result of panic and fluster. In recent ferry disasters, a lot of fatalities are caused because panic-stricken passengers are often unable to get hold of a lifebuoy at the moment of truth due to fear and confusion. In view of this, after laborious research and experiments, the applicant has devised an improved auto inflate lifebuoy which is quickly accessed for use to facilitate emergency escape in case of emergency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is a main object of the present invention to provide a foldable auto inflate lifebuoy which can be folded when not in use and does not take up too much space in normal times, and which is quickly accessible and speedily inflates for use on a person to facilitate emergency escape in case of emergency.
The foregoing foldable auto inflate lifebuoy includes a lifebuoy and an air inflation structure joined to the lifebuoy. In the air inflation structure is disposed a base body, thereto is connected a high pressure gas cylinder. A flexible air nozzle is disposed at the outlet of the high pressure gas cylinder. Inside the base body is disposed a top shaft, which pierces through a spring and then has its one end sticking out of the base body and connecting to a press button. The uninflated lifebuoy can be folded and stored away in proper places on board a transportation vehicle such as an aircraft or a ship. It does not take up too much space in normal times and can be quickly accessed in case of emergency. With a press on the press button, the top shaft is pushed to press the flexible air nozzle into the high pressure gas cylinder. The air inside the high pressure gas cylinder is instantly released by the flexible air nozzle and inflates the lifebuoy for use on a person to facilitate emergency escape.
The foregoing foldable auto inflate lifebuoy, wherein a partition plate is disposed in the base body. On the top shaft is disposed a lug. The top shaft pierces through the partition plate and pierces through a spring between the lug and the partition plate, so that the top shaft is flexible because of the spring.
The foregoing foldable auto inflate lifebuoy, wherein a stopper is disposed in the base body. Corresponding recesses and projections are disposed on the stopper and the press button. When the lifebuoy is not in use, the projections on the stopper and the press button butt against and retain each other, forming a stop to prevent the press button from false action. When the lifebuoy is in use, the press button is turned to an angle so that the projection thereon corresponds to the recess on the stopper, allowing a press on the press button.
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On the stopper 26 are disposed a recess 261 and a projection 262. On the press button 27 are disposed a recess 271 and a projection 272 corresponding to those on the stopper 26. When the lifebuoy 1 is not in use, the projections 262 and 272 on the stopper 26 and the press button 27 butt against and retain each other, forming a stop to prevent the press button 27 from false action. When the lifebuoy 1 is in use, the press button 27 is turned to an angle so that the projection 272 thereon corresponds to the recess 261 on the stopper 26, allowing a press on the press button 27. The top shaft 23 is driven by the press to push the flexible air nozzle 221 of the high pressure gas cylinder 22 inwards.
The combination of the above-mentioned elements forms a foldable auto inflate lifebuoy A. The uninflated lifebuoy 1 can be folded and stored in proper places on board a transportation vehicle such as an aircraft or a ship. It does not take up too much space in normal times and can be quickly accessed in case of emergency. With a turn of and a press on the press button 27, the top shaft 23 is pushed to press the flexible air nozzle 221 into the high pressure gas cylinder 22. The air inside the high pressure gas cylinder 22 is instantly released by the flexible air nozzle 221 and inflates the lifebuoy 1 for use on a person to facilitate emergency escape.
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After use, the foldable auto inflate lifebuoy A of the present invention may release its high pressure air by means of the pressure relief valve 28, and the high pressure gas cylinder 22 may be refilled with high pressure air for use next time.
The fore-going preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated of the present invention rather than limiting of the present invention. It is intended to cover various modifications and changes included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
In view of the foregoing considerations, the present invention relates to a foldable auto inflate lifebuoy including a lifebuoy with an air inflation structure therein are disposed a high pressure gas cylinder and a press button. The lifebuoy of the present invention can be folded when not in use and does not take up too much space. It is quickly accessible in case of emergency and speedily inflates for use on a person to facilitate emergency escape in case of emergency. It can therefore be claimed that the present invention is a practical and novel invention
Claims
1. A foldable auto inflate lifebuoy, comprising:
- a lifebuoy joined to an air inflation structure, including a thinner inner layer and a thicker outer layer;
- an air inflation structure therein is disposed a base body, wherein a high pressure gas cylinder is connected to the base body, a flexible air nozzle is disposed at the outlet of the high pressure gas cylinder, inside the base body is disposed a top shaft, the top shaft pierces through a spring, and an end of the top shaft extends out of the base body and connects to a press button;
- wherein the uninflated lifebuoy can be folded and stored away in proper places on board a transportation vehicle such as an aircraft or a ship, does not take up too much space in normal times, and can be quickly accessed in case of emergency, and wherein with a press on the press button the top shaft is pushed to press the flexible air nozzle into the high pressure gas cylinder, and the air inside the high pressure gas cylinder is instantly released by the flexible air nozzle and inflates the lifebuoy for use on a person to facilitate emergency escape.
2. The foldable auto inflate lifebuoy of claim 1, wherein a lug is disposed on the top shaft and a partition plate is disposed in the base body, and the top shaft pierces through the partition plate and pierces through a spring between the lug and the partition plate.
3. The foldable auto inflate lifebuoy of claim 1, wherein the top shaft pierces through a stopper and connects to a press button, and corresponding recesses and projections are disposed on the stopper and the press button, and wherein when the lifebuoy is not in use the projections on the stopper and the press button butt against and retain each other, forming a stop to prevent the press button from false action, and when the lifebuoy is in use the press button is turned to an angle so that the projection thereon corresponds to the recess on the stopper, allowing a press on the press button.
4. The foldable auto inflate lifebuoy of claim 1, wherein a pressure relief valve is disposed between the lifebuoy and the air inflation structure to release the high pressure air in the foldable auto inflate lifebuoy after use.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 6, 2014
Publication Date: Apr 7, 2016
Inventor: MING-CHENG ZHANG (Hsinchu City)
Application Number: 14/507,282